Posts Tagged ‘DIY’

Post-college, many of my friends took ginormous leaps and moved around the country. Although I am so proud of their boldness, I miss them dearly and wish we could all move back into our frat-worthy 10 roommate house in Bloomington. It was just as bad as it sounds, trust me. This Valentine’s day left me longing for my group of friends and wishing I could tell them just how much I love each and every one of them.

For me, friends are just as worthy of Valentine’s celebrations as the significant others in our lives. Valentine’s Day is about love. And boy, oh boy, do I love my friends. So because I can’t squeeze, hug and kiss every one of them this year, I decided to craft some homemade love to send across the country.

I started with some blank kraft paper cards and envelopes. Using some baker’s twine, I threaded hearts on the front.

I then added Washi tape in festive Valentine’s Day colors. The uses for baker’s twine and Washi tape are literally endless. I’ve used them on so many of my recent projects and wrapping jobs.

Finally, I sealed the envelopes with some additional tape and lots of love. If I can’t be with my pals this Valentine’s Day… I can at least send them some cutie pie notes!

It’s Sunday night. The middle of winter. I’m eating leftover breakfast quesadilla with 2 lbs of chicken in the crock pot. Low point? You might call it that. I prefer to think of it as the prefect time for some impromptu pickles.

Pickled red onions are one of my favorite meal toppers. They add the perfect punch to almost any meal, and make a mundane salad or taco instantly feel a little bit fancy.

These easy refrigerator quick-pickled, or “quickled” red onions are the perfect pick-me-up for when you’re experiencing a bad case of the Sunday night blues. Ready in under an hour, they can be enjoyed immediately or can flavor your meals throughout the week.

Quickled Red Onions:

Makes about 2 cups

Ingredients:

1 large red onion

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt (canning or pickling salt preferred)

3/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 garlic clove, minced

2 Tablespoon pickling spice

Instructions:

Bring 2 to 3 cups water to a boil. Meanwhile, slice your onions lengthwise into half moons. In a mason jar, combine sugar, salt, vinegar, garlic and pickling spice. Shake to mix. Once water reaches a rolling boil, place onions in a colander and slowly, very slowly, pour water over the onions to slightly soften. Place onions into mason jar and ensure that all onions are completely submerged in pickling liquid. (Add a few drops of water if necessary.) Place the sealed container in the fridge. Pickles will be ready in around 30 minutes, but best left overnight.

If sealed in an airtight mason jar, pickles will last for several weeks, but best eaten within the first week or so.

Ever since my first trash-picking, chair revival project, I’ve had a thing for adopting old furniture. Although I have started accepting larger pieces… chairs remain my go-to project. They’re easy to tackle, can usually be rehabbed in a weekend, and add instant color, pizzazz, or comfort to a space. Plus they’re small so you can always use one more, right?

More than a year ago I inherited my most exquisite chair yet. After my grandparents transitioned to a smaller space in their retirement community, the grandkids were encouraged to adopt any furniture they weren’t taking with them. Enter the love of my life… my light blue velvet channel back chair.

I love the shape, old school flair and grandeur of this chair. Even more so, I love the story behind it. I love pieces of furniture that tell stories. Although the appeal to purchase brand new furniture specific to your taste is always tempting… it’s so much more meaningful to embrace a piece that was given to you by a relative, found in the basement of an estate sale with your best friend, or tracked down in a sketchy neighborhood off Craigslist. When each piece has a unique origin, your whole house starts to build a very unique personality. And I like personality.

But now I’m left with a dilemma. To reupholster, or not to reupholster? I love the velvet, but it’s worn. The blue is okay, but not my first choice. The wood stain fine, but not stellar. However something about keeping it’s original integrity is pulling at my heart strings.

A quick scan of Pinterest shows some pretty badass channel back rehabs.

So what do you think I should do with my beloved chair? Would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below!

Heather and I recently took on our most “cantastic” DIY project yet. We canned! Now believe it or not, canning is no longer just for grandmas and homemakers. Food preservation has slowly emerged as a trend among organic-gurus, health-nuts, and foodies. Most people grow vegetables in their backyards or shop locally at farmer’s markets and yard stands.

Here is a look into our homemade pickles and strawberry jam. Stay tuned and the full guide to canning and pickling will be published in 812 Magazine later next month.

Until then, check out these pickles!

Berries ready to jam!

Soon-to-be pickles

Sanitization process

Overflow!!!

Jamming too hard leads to one big messy kitchen

Our cucumbers bathing in their hot and spicy salt brine before being canned